Reflectoscope



H. L. BLOXQM YREFLECTOSICOPE Aug. 7, 1945.

Filed Sept; 1, 1944 Inventor fla/vey Lj/zm 13/02: 0/27- Patented Aug. 7, 1945 REFLECTOSCOPE Harvey Lynn Bloxom, Council Bluffs, Iowa Application September 1,1944, Serial No. 552,355

Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in reflectoscopes of the novelty type, the primary object in view being to provide a simply constructed, inexpensive novelty for amusement purposes and which is adapted for easy, quick manipulation to produce ludicrous effects within a wide range of variation through distortion by reflection.

Other and subordinate objects are also comprehended by my invention, all of which, together with the precise nature of my improvements, will be readily understood when the succeeding description and claims are read with reference to the drawing accompanying and forming part of this specification.

In said drawing:

Figure 1 is a view in perspective of my invention in its preferred embodiment.

Figure 2 is a view in plan.

Figure 3 is a view in perspective showing the effect produced by rotating the card in one direction beneath the mirror.

Figure 4 is a view in transverse section, taken on the line 44 of Figure 2.

Referring to the drawing by numerals, my improved reflectoscope, as illustrated, comprises a circular tray I having a flat bottom 2, an annular edge flange 3, and a slot 4 in said flange 3 extending circumferentially thereof at one side of the same.

A semi-circular mirror 5 is pivotally mounted in the tray I, as presently described, to be swung into and out of the tray with the straight edge 6 thereof extending diametrically of said tray close to the bottom 2 thereof but spaced slightly from said bottom for a purpose presently seen. Preferably, the mirror 5 is formed of metal polished on both sides and mounted in the tray 1 by means of outturned end pintles 8 inserted through suitable apertures in the flange 3, and designated 9. A suitable finger piece In is provided on the mirror 5 whereby the frame may be manipulated to swing the mirror into and out of said tray.

The tray I is designed to contain a circular card II, or the like, relatively smaller than the flange 3 and for manipulation rotatively, or edgewise, or both, on the bottom 2 of the tray beneath the mirror 5. An edge tab [2 is provided on the card H for extension through the slot 4 to provide a finger grip for use in manipulating the card. The card ll may have depicted thereon a face, such as shown at 13, which may be a drawing, as shown, or a photograph, or, said card may have delineated thereon a pattern or the like. For reasons which will be understood,

the delineation or picturization of the card H is centered thereon.

Referring now to the operation of the device, preferably with the tray I held in one hand, the mirror 5 is swung into an upright position on the pivots 8 and held by the fingers of said hand at substantially a right angle to the card II. By rotating the card H, or shifting the same laterally, or both, withthe edge 6 of the mirror splitting the face I3, various distorted effects may be obtained by combination of a portion of the delineation or picturization on the card and the remaining portion as reflected in the mirror 5. Obviously, either side of the mirror may be used. For instance, with the. straight edge 6 of the mirror splitting the face l3 centrally, as shown in Figure 2, by shifting the card [I in a line at a right angle to said edge, in one direction, to shift the face [3 laterally of the plane of the mirror 5, the face will appear broadened. By shifting said card ll oppositely, in the same manner, the face I3 will appear narrowed. By rotating the card ll counter-clockwise, as shown in Figure 3, the face [3 will appear broadened downwardly from the top of the head. By rotating said card ll clockwise, the face I3 will appear broadened from the chin up. When the device is not in use, the mirror 5 may be folded down into the tray I in an out-of-the-way po sition. Obviously, the invention may be made of the proper size for carrying in a pocket, pocketbook or the like.

The foregoing will, it is believed, suffice to impart a clear understanding of my invention without further explanation.

Manifestly, the invention, as described, is susceptible of modification without departing from the inventive concept, and right is herein reserved to such modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

l. A device of the class described comprising a tray, a mirror mounted in said tray for Swinging therein into a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of the tray, and a card in said tray bearing a picture and shiftable below said mirror edgewise to expose different portions of the picture to the mirror for reflection therein.

2. A device of the class described comprising a tray, a mirror mounted in said tray for swinging into a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of the tray, and a card in said tray bearing a picture, said card being rotatable in said tray below said mirror to expose different portions of the picture to said mirror for reflection therein.

3. A device of the class described comprising a tray, a mirror mounted in said tray for swinging therein into a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of the tray, and a card in said tray bearing a picture and shiftable below said mirror edgewise to expose difierent portions of the picture to the mirror for reflection therein, said mirror being double-faced for use of either side thereof.

4. A device of the class described comprising a tray, a mirror mounted in said tray for swinging therein into a. plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of the tray, and a card in said tray bearing a picture and shiftable below said mirror edgewise to expose different portions of the picture to the mirror for reflection therein, said tray having a flange for confining the card therein provided with a slot, said card being provided with a manipulative tab extending out of the tray through said slot and for shifting the card.

5. A device of the class described comprising a tray, a mirror mounted in said tray for swinging therein into a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of the tray, and a card in said tray bearing a picture and shiftable below said mirror edge'wise to expose difierent portions of the picture to the mirror for reflection therein, said mirror being swingable into the tray when not in use.

HARVEY LYNN BLOXOM. 

